With just over a week before Apple Watch previews and reservations kick off in Apple retail and online stores, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning on purchasing the device in the early weeks of availability.
Apple is making big changes to its retail sales process with a completely new approach to in-store demos for what is the company’s first product to cross over into the fashion world. There has been a lot of news surrounding Apple’s reservation and in-store sales experience for Apple Watch, so we’ve put together a concise list of FAQ’s for everything you’ll want to know for launch this month.
When do Apple Watch preorders start?
-On April 10 at 12:01 PDT you can begin making try-on appointments & reservations.
Where can I buy the Apple Watch?
-In addition to the Apple Store, the Apple Watch will be available to preview and try on starting April 10th at Galeries Lafayette in Paris, Selfridges in London, and Isetan in Tokyo. Starting April 24th, the Apple Watch will also be sold at Colette in Paris, Dover Street Market in London and Tokyo, Maxfield in Los Angeles, and The Corner in Berlin.
How do I make an Apple Watch try-on appointment?
-Try-on appointments can be made through Apple.com or the Apple Store app starting April 10.
Are appointments required to try-on Apple Watch?
-Encouraged, but not necessary. Walk-ins will join the normal queue.
How do I preorder Apple Watch?
-Apple has a new reservation system for reserving your watch to pickup in stores. You’ll be able to try-on the watch you order and compare it to others before buying, but going this route guarantees the watch you want will be available when you get there. You can alternatively order the Watch online for shipment to your home. Reservations and online orders start April 10 at 12:01 PDT, and pickups and deliveries will start April 24th.
Can someone else pick up my Apple Watch?
Yes, but you’ll have to specify the name of another person that will pickup the product when completing the online reservation.
When will Apple Watch be available in stores?
-Online and pickups in-store begin April 24th.
Can I buy Apple Watch without an appointment or pickup reservation?
-Probably not. Apple Watch stock will be limited at launch and most stores will reserve stock for those picking-up or coming in for a try-on appointment.
Can I try on any Apple Watch?
-Apple has try-on tables & cases w/ Sport and Watch models, gold Edition models get a special try-on area and private appointment (see below).
Where will the gold Apple Watch Edition be available?
-The gold Watch Edition will only be in stock at high-traffic flagship locations at launch, but it will roll out gradually to all stores. Online orders will be available and can be shipped to stores without stock for pickup.
How do I preorder the gold Apple Watch Edition?
-You can setup a try-on appointment for stores with stock, or order online. Apple is giving special treatment if you’re interested in the $10k+ Watch Edition including no lines, private 1-hour appointments in-store, and courier-to-store service for online orders.
How many Apple Watches can I buy?
-Like other Apple product launches, we’re hearing Apple will limit the number of units customers can buy during the initial launch. It sounds like it will vary by store depending on size and demand, but you should expect Apple could limit your purchase to 1 or 2 units from each collection.
How do I size Apple Watch?
-Apple has an official strap sizing guide here and a tool for comparing face sizes here. The Watch comes in 38mm and 42mm case sizes, and the various collections have different strap sizes. For the cheapest Apple Watch Sport models, you’ll get both available strap sizes in the box. You’ll need to decide between sizes for other bands.
Will Apple Watch accessories be available at Apple Stores?
-Apple will have bands to buy online and in-store ranging from $49 to $449. There are also many third-party accessories arriving in the coming weeks through other retailers.
Does Apple Watch have an AppleCare warranty?
-Like Macs, iPhones, and iPads, Apple Watch will come with complimentary AppleCare telephone support for 90 days in addition to a 1-year limited warranty on your hardware.
You’ll have the option to upgrade the Sport and Watch collections to 2 years of coverage for the Sport and Watch collections. Apple hasn’t yet announced pricing.
The pricey $10K+ Apple Watch Edition models will come with a complimentary 2 years additional warranty and 24/7 technical support.
AppleCare+ (which includes 2 incidents of accidental damage not covered by warranty) will be available bringing total coverage to 2 years for the Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport, and 3 years for the Apple Watch Edition.
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So what happens if I chose apple watch sport at home to reserve but try on and prefer the stainless apple watch with sport band? Do I then have to reorder and wait again?
Also, anyone else notice on Apple website that the stainless Apple watch with sport band only says ‘band’ in the contents included while everyone knows the sport one says 2 bands. Is that a glitch or will they really make you pick a sport band size even though you are getting the more expensive watch.
What time do pre-orders open? Midnight? Also if a friend for instance is visiting the UK can u pre order it and send it to her hotel? Will the store accept a Non-UK credit card?
What time do pre-orders open? Midnight? Midnight (PDT) is when you will be able to order, but you are welcome to contact Apple to confirm. Also if a friend for instance is visiting the UK can u pre order it and send it to her hotel? Will the store accept a Non-UK credit card? These questions can be answered by Apple representative, via phone or chat regarding your purchase. 1-800-MyApple. Cheers!
i talked to an apple rep and they don’t know the time
I live in South Africa, hence the question. Trying to get a watch quickly, i know our launch will be quite late in the year.
there no specific time apple will post on website the day before
What will be the return policy!
Most likely 14 days like the other products.
Thanks for great article Jordan, it’s handy to have all the buying information in one place.
Is AppleCare+ still limited to US or certain countries? I’m in Australia and I don’t think it’s available here.
Apple Watch Available in Nine Countries on April 24: Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the UK and the US. Simply order online and you should be set.
If you preorder online it will be shipped to your home the 24? Or it might take a couple of days? Ty
if you book it on time, it should arrive on 24th. The earlier you make your order the better the arrival date.
It should never arrive earlier than the 24th. The delivery companies have agreements with Apple. (It’s possible, it’s happened before but don’t count on it)
I buy everything Apple, as soon as it comes out, but, in this case, I just cannot find a reason to even want this handcuff.
So you’re buying the new MacBook as soon as it comes out?
You will change your mind.
I’m getting one, Im a watch guy and this watch seems promising to me, but I get what you say, it took me 4 years to buy an iPad, it just didn’t do anything for me when it came out..
So why do you need a smart watch? Well… You don’t … However this is not about need, it’s about fashion and function. The smart watch isn’t meant to replace a smart phone, it’s a companion, a fashion statement and well, cool.
* No more fumbling for your phone while your driving, which you should not be doing…, just keep your hands on the wheel and tilt your wrist, eyes on the road and reply with your voice.
* Skinny jeans? No problem! Look at your wrist and leave your phone wedged in your pocket.
* Phones lost in your purse and you want to get your notifications? Look at your wrist.
* Now you can get your sport teams score and not anger your wife by pulling out your phone while she’s talking.
I could go on but you get the idea, smart watches are practical and convenient.
Does anybody know if you can use the modern buckle band with a sport version? Since they have the same tech specs I am thinking I will just buy the cheapest watch with and then the band I want separately.
All bands are interchangeable for the size watch that you buy. You can’t fit 42mm bands to any 38mm watch and vice versa, but all 38mm bands will fit all 38mm watch editions (Sport, Apple Watch & Edition) — same for the 42mm bands to 42mm editions casings.
Great FAQ, thanks! Can’t wait to preorder on the 10th from Toronto!
What time will pre order be up on April 10 i live in Pennsylvanian eastern standard time
I would assume a 12.01am PDT release, so 3.01am EDT. Apple should announce it on their website on the 9th
Can I preorder from outside a first-launch country and pick up the watch visiting on April 24?
me too – if I cant pick up on 24th will a German store deliver to other EU country?
Fantastic, I honestly can’t wait to get one of these little beauties, specifically the sport. The interface is curious, but I really think Apple has done better than most with the way it’s approached interacting with a wrist-dwelling device. Check here for my views on the launch
my wrist is 205mm the chart said the Milanese loop band goes up to 200mm is there any wiggle room on the size since its magnetic
FYI to All – just called Apple sales and they confirmed a max of two watches per account for online orders, so you can get one for yourself and a significant other – but scalpers need not apply.